Living in the Moment

I’ve been told I am a great planner. My planning abilities have served me well in my work life, family life, and social life. I’ve taken pride in the reputation I’ve built as a master planner. And yet, I am trying to shed this asset.

When I am in planning mode, I am not here. My mind is distracted on that future thing that pulls my attention from what is in front of, next to, and around me. This can be appropriate from time to time as much of life requires advance notice. However, I am practicing being more present more often. And practice it takes. One of my tricks is to reduce the multi-tasking. Focus on one thing at a time.

Benefits I’ve experienced: greater feelings of calm, content, and a heightened awareness of the sights, smells, and sounds that surround me. This sounds easy yet can be rather difficult in our fast-paced, noisy lives, especially when we are surrounded by people who are racing around us.
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What challenges to feeling present have you faced?
What has been useful for you to live in the here and now?